Amos 1:2 “The LORD roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.” NKJV

For the most part, many of us don’t see people “roaring” in our day to day life.  Unless you’re part of a theatrical event, it would probably strike you as odd to hear someone roar.  Of course in those moments of excitement, fear or confrontation, we may come close as we strive to portray the seriousness of our situation.  In this passage, God is proclaiming judgment and is roaring from Jerusalem so that all will hear and understand the importance of His Word.

It’s true that this message God is delivering is very serious, yet no less serious are the messages God delivers to us without roaring.  Each week many of us read from God’s Word, fellowship together and attends church services and during each week, God is trying to teach us.  During those times, it is just as important to understand what God is saying.  Anything that God shares with us that we take lightly and do not apply is harmful to our spiritual walk.  What have you heard today that you can apply and use to grow in Christ? Did you read something in God’s Word or hear from a friend a truth that could change you life?  Friend, look for these gems of Truth everyday so that God does not have to roar to get our attention.

Life Lesson: All of God’s Word is applicable to us.  Taking it lightly would be folly.

Dear God,

Thank You for Your Word and for the opportunity to read it and learn more about You.  Give me a hunger for Your Word and help me to take the things I hear and read and apply them to my life so that I can be equipped to serve You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” NKJV

There it is, staring you down.  It grabs hold of your attention and captivates your thoughts.  It appears so harmless but in the end, it can be deadly. It is temptation, and every one of us has to face it.  The good news is that if you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, you don’t have to face it alone.  Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be freed of our bondage to sin while also finding strength to resist it through God’s Spirit.  What an encouraging thought.  When faced with temptation, God of all creation provides a way of escape or the strength to bear it.

Unfortunately, this does not mean we always take that way of escape.  Like a kid standing over an open cookie jar, often we stand gazing into temptation and wonder why we were not able to resist. Friend, in those moments when we fail, we can come to God and experience His forgiveness and grace all over again.  This is the beauty of the Gospel.  Yes, we must resist sin and flee from temptation but when we do fall short, we have a loving God who desires to forgive.

Life Lesson: Take the way out of temptation when you have it.

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving me. I know that I have done wrong and have sinned against You.  Father, please forgive me and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can fight temptation.  Lord, when I find myself in a tempting situation, open my eyes to the way out so that I can escape.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This blog post is from David McGee’s teaching “Stop Whining and Start Shining”.
Full Audio available HERE

Malachi 2:15 “But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one?   He seeks godly offspring.  Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.” NKJV

What do you think of when you hear the word “marriage?” Do you imagine a Cinderella style ceremony followed by “happily ever after” or maybe you get the picture of the old “ball and chain.”  Our world paints many pictures of marriage, yet they fall short of what God intended.  While marriage does involve a man and woman living life together and experiencing everything from kids to finances—it’s so much more than that.

Ephesians 5:31-32 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” NKJV

In the beginning when God placed Adam and Eve together in the covenant of marriage, He was not just establishing an option for dealing with loneliness, but He was creating a beautiful picture of our future redemption.  When a married couple stands together and says “I do” they are standing as an image of Jesus Christ and the church.  This is why Malachi refers to marriage as “The LORD’s holy institution which He loves.”  If that’s the case—shouldn’t we love it too?

Life Lesson:  Marriage, at its root, is a picture of Jesus and the church.

Dear Father,

Thank You for marriage and all that is represents.  Lord, help me to be a picture of Jesus and the church in the relationship with my spouse.   Empty me of myself so that I will be a loving servant to them just as Jesus was to me.  Help me to give of myself for the benefit of my spouse so that when the world looks at my marriage, they will see Jesus.  Use me to reach others with the Gospel through my words and deeds.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:5-6 “But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.  Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.” NKJV

Have you ever seen a child watch TV? They sit happily watching the characters they love dance across the screen.  But, it’s interesting to watch what happens when the show stops and the commercials come on.  That once happy child turns into a loud, demanding whiner.  “I must have it,” they demand as they kick and scream when they are told “no.”  I wish this picture stopped at childhood.  Sure… we’ve toned it down a bit, but how often do we find ourselves discontented and whining for the next job, house, car or spouse? This is not a new phenomenon by any means. In fact, Moses was threatened many times by a mob of angry whiners.

Numbers 11:5 “We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” NKJV

The children of Israel had been receiving supernatural food from heaven and yet they were whining for something more.  Friend, God has provided all eternity for us through Jesus.  Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we can be forgiven.  Because of His great love we can have our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  With this Truth forever on our minds, how could we ever whine again?  Instead, we should live content, thankful lives because the God of all creation loves us unconditionally.

Life Lesson: Thou Shall Not Wine

Dear Father,

Thank You for the life You have given me.  Lord, forgive me if I have whined or complained about life when You have blessed me in so many ways.  Help me to see the amazing blessings all around me today and to share those blessings with others I meet.  Fill me with Your Spirit and use me to reach others with the message of the Gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This blog post is from David McGee’s teaching “Whining in the Promised Land”.
Full Audio available HERE

2 Chronicles 6:30 “then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men),” NKJV

Trials, hardships, frustrations—whatever they’re called, we all deal with them at one time or another. The good news is that God desires to speak to us during those times. It could be that you are surrounded by circumstances that are difficult, or you may have made bad choices which have led to a bad situation. In those times friend, remember the words of Jesus Himself…

Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” NKJV

Many times when life is going well, we can’t hear the Lord, even when He is shouting to get our attention. It’s often in those times of struggle that He whispers and we hear His voice loud and clear. If today you find yourself in the midst of hardships, seek the Lord. Use this time to seek forgiveness and cling to the grace of God. Cry out to God and He will hear from heaven and pour out His love upon you in abundance. When we do this, God makes the most of our pain and can bring something good from something bad.

Life Lesson: Whenever something in life goes wrong, use the moment to ask forgiveness and draw closer to the Lord.

Dear Father,

Thank You for the life You have given me. Lord, I pray that when this life gets difficult that I turn to You. Help me draw closer to You whether I am enjoying blessings or walking through trials. Father, may each day and circumstance be used to make me more like Jesus. Forgive me of my sins and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can be use to build Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This blog post is from David McGee’s teaching in 2 Chronicles 6.
Full Audio available HERE

1 Corinthians 10:3-4 “All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.” NKJV

Have you ever been around a newborn baby?  They are beautiful and precious creations of God but if they do not get their milk, you better look out.  Imagine if we, as Christians, craved God’s Word like a newborn craves milk.  That child does not want to sit and watch TV or discuss the latest news headline when they are hungry…they want to eat.  This desire to fill their stomachs and find fulfillment is all consuming.  Is this not how it should be with followers of Jesus?

1 Peter 2:2-3 “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” NKJV

God has given us His Word and He is waiting for us to partake in it so that we may be nourished and grow in our relationship with Him.  If we refuse to taste of God’s goodness how can we expect to mature?  This would be like staring at a fridge full of food and complaining that you are malnourished.  God has done his part and has provided the Bible for us to read.  We should consume every page with such passion that it leads to a life overrun with God’s goodness and blessing.  Only then will we be able to truly say, “I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.”

Life Lesson: The Bible, the Word of God, is our spiritual food and we should eat daily.

Dear Father,

Thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for those who have given their lives so that I have access to the scriptures.  Father, may I be like that newborn and crave Your Word.  Lord help me to read it and to apply it to my life so that I may be a blessing to those around me.  Fill me with Your Spirit and equip me for the good works You have prepared for me to do.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Micah 7:1 “For I am like those who gather summer fruits, like those who glean vintage grapes; there is no cluster to eat of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires.” NKJV

Each of us looks for something to satisfy our souls.  In fact, companies and advertising agencies know this and have set out to convince you they have what you desire.  The truth is that after all the colorful ads and convincing sales tactics, the product is temporary and will leave you right where you started—empty.  The good news is that there is someone who loves us and what He offers will never fade away.

Micah 7:7 “Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.” NKJV

You see friend, this world will offer you everything under the sun but what it cannot offer is lasting hope, forgiveness of sins and an abundant life both now and forever.  This only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  He alone hung on the cross so that we could be freed of our sin.  He alone rose from the grave, defeating death and securing our eternity.  He alone can satisfy our soul.  Like Micah, if you are searching for “fruit which my soul desires” then look no further to Jesus.  Nothing on this earth can even compare to Him.

Life Lesson: We will not find solace for our emptiness from the world no matter how much we look.

Dear Father,

I am tired of looking to this world for satisfaction.  Lord, I desire to know the fulfillment that comes from a relationship with Jesus.  Father, forgive me of my sins and wash me clean of all righteousness.   Fill me with Your Spirit and help me to seek You first above all things.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 9:25 “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

Would you run a race for celery? As foolish as it sounds, in ancient times there were athletes who would workout and train just so they could cross the finish line for a crown of celery leaves. You may laugh, but the same happens to this day. Every few years, we watch as athletes from all over the world jump, swim, and run to gain a medal. Now I can hear some of you saying, “Well gold is a little different than celery.” Is it? Friend, when this life is over and you are before the Lord, no medal or riches are going to matter. In fact, that gold medal you thought was something special is simply heavens asphalt.

If you are a follower of Jesus and know Him as Savior, then you are part of this race to the eternal finish line. It can be difficult at times but just like an athlete, you must train hard. The rewards are far greater than anything this earth may offer. As you step out in faith and begin serving and walking in obedience to His word, you begin storing up treasures in heaven. So friend, are you storing up heavenly rewards? Did you know that your act of love, giving or word of Truth may impact the life of another human for eternity? This alone is worth the price paid, but God in His infinite love then credits our eternal account so that one day, He will present to us treasures beyond what we can think or imagine.

Life Lesson: We should live for eternal spiritual rewards. What we do in this life matters… forever.

Dear God,

Thank You for Jesus and Your salvation that comes by grace through faith. Because of this free gift I have hope of heaven and life abundant. Lord, help me to focus on the eternal things and live in obedience to You. Guide me as I seek to serve You and serve others and in turn store up heavenly rewards. May I be so heavenly minded that I impact this earth for all eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Teaching Audio: LISTEN HERE

Philippians 2:10-11 “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” NKJV

Each day we are confronted by choices.  Some of them are benign like whether I should eat chocolate or vanilla ice cream.  Others are more important like who should I marry or where should I live? Each one of our choices affects our life in some way.  Of course, there is a choice that is made that will not only affect your life but also your eternity.  The choice is this…Jesus yes or Jesus no?

You see friend, you may have made every wrong decision there was to make in your life but there is hope in this choice.  To say yes to Jesus is to open the gates of heaven and experience the joy that comes from being born again.  He promises living water that quenches every thirst, bread of life that satisfies our very soul, and an abundant life in this world and the next.  In short, to say yes to Jesus is to say yes to life.  Unfortunately, the opposite is true.  To say no to Jesus is to experience separation from the only source of hope you have.  Surrender your life to the One who loves you and find rest for your soul.  Friend, I pray you say yes to Jesus.

Life Lesson: We have a choice – Jesus yes or Jesus no – there is no third option.

Dear Father,

I know I have sinned and fallen short of Your perfect standard.  I know that I deserve punishment, but I ask that You would forgive me.  I believe that Jesus has died for my sins and because of His death and resurrection I can have a relationship with You for all eternity.  Wash me clean and fill me with Your Spirit that I may live for You.  Father God— I say yes to Jesus.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 9:22 “to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” NKJV

The Gospel—those two words sum up the reason for all I do. If it were not for the Gospel, I would not know forgiveness. If it were not for the Gospel I would not have anything to teach on Sunday. If it were not for the Gospel, my life would have never changed and this world would be without hope. The fact is friend that the Gospel is real and it is indeed Good News. So why do we often let little things get in the way of this amazing news of Christ’s love and forgiveness? Why do we allow petty opinions and secondary issues crowd our eyes when the glory of God stands in our midst? Instead of condemning the world, why don’t we begin changing it?

Let me ask it this way. Is it better to curse the darkness or light a candle? What’s going to do the most good? Do you think the darkness is going to run from us if we tell it just how bad it is? No. Instead, we should walk into the darkness holding the light of Christ and allow His Word and His Spirit to change the lives around us. Yes, this means getting out of our comfort zone. It also means laying down opinions that are secondary to God’s message of grace. If we can do that and speak with boldness the Gospel of Christ, this world will never be the same.

Life Lesson: We need to be willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel. All who serve, give and pray will share in the rewards.

Dear Father
Thank you for the Gospel and Your amazing love for a sinful people. God, help me look past myself and into the lives of those around me who need this good news. Give me opportunities to share the Gospel with all who will listen even if it means being uncomfortable. Father, fill me with Your Spirit that I may proclaim Your Truth boldly and with love. In Jesus Name, Amen.